En kyrka i kris...

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Katolsk församlingsassistent - och feminist - avskedad...

Fick ytterligare ett tragiskt exempel som visar att inte heller lekfolket går säkert för neo-inkvisitionen. Om de är kyrkligt anställda vill säga. Inte ens över 30 års tjänst är värt något. Och ingen rätt har de uppenbarligen att försvara sig. Det är kadaverlydnad som gäller.

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"According to the release, the investigation shifted to a thesis Kolpack had written for her master of divinity degree that was granted from St. Francis seminary.

The thesis, written in 2003, evidently stirred little or no interest from church leaders until lately. Kolpack's main theme is on inclusiveness, and what she sees as a patriarchal tone in the church's liturgy, with an implicit exclusion of women from key roles, such as the priesthood.

/.../

The statement went on to say that church personnel "must uphold the faith and morals of the church" ... through what they publicly teach and claim to believe, what they associate themselves with, and by their actions."

Kolpack said that when she met with her bishop she was given no opportunity to defend herself, nor did she have a chance to face or respond to those who had accused her.

When she met with Morlino, he stated that her views on the teachings of Jesus were "off base," according to Kolpack. She also said he informed her that he had not read her thesis in its entirety, only "bits and pieces."

She said that during the meeting he asked her to denounce the thesis, make a profession of faith, and take an oath of loyalty in order to remain as a pastoral associate at the parish.

She said she could not refute the thesis in good conscience, that to dos [sic!] so would risk her reputation as a scholar and academician.

After Bishop Morlino's announcement, I was given no opportunity to discuss any points in my thesis with which we disagreed, nor any of the original accusations made against me," said Kolpack. "In fact, within 10 minutes from the beginning of our meeting, I was fired."

/.../

After communion at Sunday's Mass, Kortendick spoke briefly to the congregation and then allowed Kolpack to speak. Within minutes many were in tears. Some gathered in a prayer huddle to offer their prayers and blessings. She had served the community for over thirty years.

"Parishioners are very devastated,” she told NCR. “Sunday was a very bad time. I had people coming up to me after mass crying, hugging, and expressing concern. The big question is, ‘why was I fired?’ Unfortunately, I can't answer it. People are going to think that if a bishop fires me, then it must be major. But I don't even know why I got fired. I can't tell parishioners why I got fired."

Stephanie King Norton, a parishioner for 42 years, echoed the sentiments of many when she said she was “shocked” by the dismissal.

"Ruth played more than just a role there. She was the foundation of all activity at St. Thomas. Ruth even told me she wanted to retire in about five years, but in reviewing her responsibilities, it became clear that they could never find someone that would take on as much responsibility that Ruth has. I don't know anyone at St. Thomas who would say that Ruth isn't the foundation, even if they don't always agree with her.

"She's been through four priests, and we always knew she would be there. She's the heart and soul behind everything that goes on. Our priest is only 40 percent, so she was responsible for sacramental work as well. People converted and were brought back to the Catholic faith were crying because their friend was dismissed. Five- and six-year-olds were crying because they lost their teacher."

/.../

Kolpack wrote a letter to Morlino in which she wrote, “My ministry is my life's work,” concluding by asking him to reconsider her dismissal."

Läs hela artikeln här.

Än mer intressant: så här skriver hon själv till församlingen.

Det är bara det att biskopen tycks vara det egentliga problemet!

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Uppdatering:

Den lokala församlingen ställer sig bakom Ruth - så sista ordet är inte sagt. Följ händelserna på en specialblogg som skapats för attt stödja henne.

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Eukaristin - "kidnappad" av prästerna?

Jag fick ett mail nyligen apropå ett djärvt dokument som de holländska dominikanerna gav ut för drygt ett år sen och som det blev en del rabalder omkring.

Har utelämnat några personliga saker, men allt som kan vara av intresse för andra finns kvar.

Det knyter an till ett samtal i ett annat inlägg om eukaristin och prästerna/lekfolket.

Det verkar ha utvecklats ett slags katolskt emerging church.... På tvärs mot hierarkin...

Vill gärna ha kommentarer till det nedanstående...!

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"In a nutshell, they [the Dominicans] are saying that the shortage of ordained priests in Holland is giving rise to the practice of holding communion services - where there is the liturgy of the word, and the distribution of the eucharist, but no consecration - the hosts distributed have been previously consecrated.

The Dominicans ask why there couldn't be people in the communities where there is no ordained priest, called from the congregation (like the leaders of the communion services), men and women alike, who would be trained empowered to celebrate the eucharist for their communities. It's a wonderful idea - one that puts the eucharist where it belongs, right in the communities of faith who gather to remember.

I'm beginning to believe the the eucharist has been hijacked by the institutional church - that it really belongs in homes, with families and small communities. That it is the inherent right of all christians to gather, break bread, and remember with the Risen One in their midst. Let the priestly class become like rabbis - ones who teach, and preside over larger regional gatherings of faith communities which could be held periodically.

/.../

When the first Christians gathered, there was no ordained priesthood - there were just believers - people who gathered around a meal to remember Jesus and celebrate his resurrection. In those meals, where the brothers and sisters gathered, there were many diverse gifts, but there was also a fundamental equality - no Jews, Greeks, slaves, free, male female. All were ONE. One in Him - one with the Father through Him, one is the Spirit He sent. One as branches are with a vine.

Could the priest shortage be the Lord's way of asking us all to reclaim our own priesthood - the one into which we were baptized with Christ?

/.../ what is it that a priest does if not celebrate and lead the Eucharistic celebration. When you feel that call, it's a call to make Christ present in your life, in your ministry, and at the Table where the priest is most a priest. That table doesn't belong to Benedict XVI, it doesn't belong to the Archbishop or bishop of your diocese - it belongs to the Lord!

And the Lord continues to call the most unlikely of people to that table with him. The stones rejected by the builders continue to become cornerstones, it's simply the way God works.

/.../

I am convinced that there is a new way of being Catholic that is emerging, slowly, and transforming the Church. It may leave the Constantinian and Medieval trappings of pomp and power in the dust - and the legalism that is worthy of the most rigid pharisee. But it will preserve what is best and most life-giving in Catholicism. That emerging Catholic church is happening embryonically in the ministry of married priests, womanpriests, and in the lives of members of communities of faith that grow and thrive without a male, ordained priest (I'm thinking of many religious orders of women who have been calling their own to celebrate the Eucharist for more than 30 years)."

Fr. Rich Hasselbach

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